Battling dry skin in winter is a feat in and of itself. But for anyone who frequently enjoys hitting the slopes, whizzing their way around an ice rink or even just playing in the snow with their kids, dry winter skin is just the tip of the iceberg.
Despite the skin challenges these more extreme conditions bring, the good news is maintaining your healthy, hydrated, glowing skin is easy with a few tweaks to your regular routine.
Common winter skin conditions and how to ease them
As refreshing and exhilarating as your favorite winter sports and activities can be, your skin is constantly getting hit with the short end of the stick. Windburn, chapped lips, chafing, intense UV exposure, and ‘maskne’ are just some of the most common winter skin conditions that can leave your skin feeling painfully dehydrated, cracked and red.
So what’s the secret to keeping your skin in its best condition all winter long? Check out our 4 top winter skincare tips!
Winter Skincare Tip #1: Amp up the hydration
Everything from the dry indoor heat to the windchill outside can cause your skin to crack and dry out. So it’s best to hydrate in the morning, at night, before you head outside, after you come back inside… you get the idea!
Our advice? Use a moisturizer with ultra-hydrating hyaluronic acid. This vital ingredient attracts and holds water to the skin. So you’re not just amping up the moisture barrier between your skin and the winter air, but ensuring your skin stays hydrated for longer.
Our go to? Daily Perfecting Moisturizer SPF 30. It contains sodium hyaluronate acid, a water-soluble salt form of hyaluronic acid, meaning it can penetrate the skin better leading to increased effectiveness! Plus it has SPF, which leads us to our next tip…
Winter Skincare Tip #2: Don’t skip the SPF
While the need for SPF is more obvious in the summer, winter sunburn is much, much sneakier and just as harmful.
For skiers, snowboarders, sledders and snowmen makers, your main source of UV exposure actually comes from the snow! Ever notice how blinding snow can be when the sun hits it just right? That’s because the snow is actually reflecting the sun’s UV rays, causing them to bounce back directly at you with a higher intensity.
For hikers and mountaineers, the trouble comes with higher altitudes. For every 1,000 feet about sea level, UV exposure increases by 5%. That’s because the atmosphere is thinning and there’s less natural coverage protecting you from the sun.
So before you head outside, we suggest applying Mineral Creme SPF 50 15 minutes ahead of time. For reapplying while you’re on the slopes, pack our Solar Stick SPF 40 or its tinted version. These portable tube fit perfectly in any pocket or backpack for protection on the go.
Winter Skincare Tip #3: Pucker up for SPF + hydration
Just like your skin, your lips are just as susceptible to dehydration and sun damage, resulting in chapped, cracked lips and hyperpigmentation. That’s why it’s essential to keep an ultra-hydrating lip balm with SPF on hand.
Our fave? Hydrating Sheer Lip Balm SPF 30. Packed with shea, avocado and olive butters, plus fortified with avocado oil, this sheer-tinted, 100% vegan stick is packed to the max with natural hydrators, plus broad-spectrum protection. Swipe it on whenever you feel your lips starting to dry out to maintain their silky-smooth feel. If you use it regularly, you may never get ‘dry chapped lips’ this winter!
Winter Skincare Tip #4: Don’t skip out on cleansing
After spending the day with your face slathered in sunscreen, exposed to the elements, and (for any skiers and snowboarders) behind a mask, it’s vital you wash off all that grime. Not cleansing can leave your skin suffocated and pores clogged, resulting in irritation and acne.
For a true clean that really washes away the day, we recommend Wash Away One Step Cleanser. In one step, its unique formula breaks down any water-proof barriers from makeup or mineral sunscreen, deeply cleanses pores, lightly exfoliates, neutralizes free radicals, hydrates and moisturizes. All without stripping your skin of essential moisture for truly clean, hydrated, plump, healthy results.
Enjoy your time outside!
For our best skincare routine recommendations, check out this blog.
